Container



April 29, 1958 D. J. O'CONNGR CONTAINER Filed Oct. 4. 1955 l ly to endplugs therefor.

United States Patent C CONTAINER Donal J. OConnor, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Morton Salt Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofIllinois Application October 4, 1955, Serial No. 538,414

20 Claims. (Cl. 222--480) This invention relates to containers and moreparticular- It has specific application, altho not limited thereto, tocontainers of the type which are intended to be useful in dispensingsmall portions of its contents at a time, which contents may be ineither granulated or powdered form.

Such containers have been provided previously of paper tube stock, inthe dispensing end of which has been located a pair of disks or similarmembers having apertures in offset relation to their center. By holdingone disk fixed and being able to rotate the other, the openings may bearranged in aligned open position to permit pouring of the contents orbe shifted tout of alignment to a closed position. Preferably, theoutermost disk is the rotatable one and is held in close slidingrelation with the fixed disk by crimping or otherwise inwardly turningthe edge of the paper tube to form a bead overlying the peripheral edgeof the disk.

However, since the tube is of paper, it is susceptible to moisture, andif suiciently dampened, the crimped edge or bead will lose itseffectiveness and tend to uncurl. This can be a particularly acuteproblem when the containers are used for dispensing ordinary table saltand other hygroscopic materials. In containers formed according to theabove mentioned prior art construction, there is opportunity, in theirnormal use, for small amounts of salt to collect or become lodged in thepocket or V between the bead and edge of the disk. lf not removed, thesalt being hygroscopic, `will pick up moisture from the air, and over aperiod of time dampen the bead sufficiently to cause uncurling anddestroy further usefulness of the container.

it is therefore a first and primary object of the invention to providean effective means of preventing the crimped edge of the paper tube fromuncurling even when rnoistened, and, secondly, to provide a barrierwhich will prevent such salt granulesor the contents of the containerfrom becoming lodged in contact with the crimped edge.

A further object is to provide such a means in the form ol a ridge or awall on the rotatable disk which is spaced inwardly of its peripheraledge, and so shaped as to contact closely the surface of the beadwithout forming pockets or the like for the collection of minute amountsof salt orother contents being dispensed from the container.

A further object is so to shape the ridge or wall that it willaccommodate for variations in the tightness of the crimped edge or beadwhile still providing the desired barrier `and/ or effective seal.

A further and important object -of the invention is to so shape thesurface of the disk and ridge over which the contents `wi1l flow duringthe dispensing act that it will substantially merge without abruptchange into the curved shape of the crimped edge or bead.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a curved ordish-shape to the outer surface of the rotatable disk and to so controlits height at the edges thereof that said surface will eectively mergeinto the curved shape of the `overlying bead or crimped edge withoutsubstantial "ice 2 break to y effect free-owing of the contents out ofthe aligned apertures and off the bead when the container is tilted topouring position and to redirect all of the particles or grains which donot fall olf the bead back through said aligned openings, when thecontainer is returned to its normal vertical position.

It is a further object of this invention to obtain and accomplish all ofthe above in a simple and inexpensive as well as practical manner.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will, of course,appear and become evident from the description of the invention whichfollows, and when considered with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a container formed according to theinvention;

Figure 2 is a top end view of the container;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the container taken on lines 3-3 inFigure 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken on lines 4 4of Figure 2 to illustrate more clearly the shape and relation of theridge on the closure disk relative to the inwardly turned or crimpededge of the outer wall of the container;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, but showing analternative embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on lines 6-6 ofFigure 5 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to Figures l and 3, the main body portion 10 of the containerhereindescribed comprises an openended outer cylinder 11 and anopen-ended `inner cylinder 12, both of which may be formed of paper tubestock, chip board and like materials. The opposed ends of the outercylinder 12 extend a slight distance beyond the respective adjacent endsof the inner cylinder 12 and are crimped or inwardly turned to formbeads 13 and 14. End 15 of the inner cylinder 12 forms a shoulder whichfunctions with bead 14 to hold bottom disk 16 securely in place whileits other end 17 provides a shoulder which functions with bead 13 tohold a pair of disks 18 and 19 in place.

Disk 18 is preferably formed of paper and is tightly fitted withincylinder 11` and against shoulder 17 to resist turning. As seen inFigures 2 and 3 it has an opening offset from its center through whichthe contents may be dispensed. Although the container is intendedprincipally for dispensing salt, it is obvious that the container willbe suitable for use in dispensing a large variety of materials ingranulated or powdered form.

Disk 19 functions as closure means fior said opening 2), and ispreferably formed of plastic by injection molding technique. It isprovided with an enlarged opening 21a and a perforated area 2lb whichare also offset from the center of the disk so that either may bebrought into registry with the opening 20 in disk 18 by simple rotationof disk 19 utilizing rib 22 formed integrally thereon. It is of courseunderstood that the perforated area 21b permits a sifting of thecontents when aligned with opening 20 while opening 21a will allow amore free owing of the contents during pouring. Either one or the othermay be omitted, although there are obvious benefits to be derived fromhaving both. As seen in Figure 2, opening 21a and perforated area 2lbare radially spaced at some angle other than preferably 120. This willpermit both the perforated area 2lb and opening 21a to be rotated amaximum distance from opening 20 in disc 18 so as to provide greaterassurance against spilling of the contents if,'for some reason, disc 19were to be accidentally rotated a few degrees from a presumably closedposition.

The container is ordinarily formed by first spinning 3 or crimping oneend only of the outer cylinder 12 to form bead 13. Disks 19 and 18 arethen inserted through the uncrimped end in that order. Next, the innercylinder 12 is positioned within the cylinder 11 and its end 17 broughtup to lodge the two disks securely in place. It may be then glued orotherwise fastened to the outer cylinder 11. The bead 13 is ideally ofthe cross sectional shape indicated in Figures 3 and 4. However, inpractice it may vary somewhat therefrom. It may be consider- .ably moreoval in shape and in some instances, it may be so attened that opening13' is omitted altogether.

Because of this, disk 19 is provided with a continuous ridge 23 inwardlyspaced from its periphery which serves to engage the adjacent outersurface 27 of said bead 13. As will be seen most clearly in Figure 4,the outer surface 2'4 of the ridge 23 is inclined away from itsperiphery at a slight angle. This helps to Vlocate the disc properly.and also to accommodate for different variations in tightness of thecrimp constituting bead 13. Preferably the ridge 23 is so spaced fromthe periphery of the disc 19 that in assembled relation, its surfa-ce 24will tightly bear against the crimped edge or bead 13 of cylinder 11,but will not prevent rotation of the disc 19 when torque iS applied tothe rib 22.

To complete the assembly operation, the container is inverted andfilled, it being understood of course that disk 19 has been moved to itsclosed position. Once filled, bottom disk 16 is positioned on end 15 ofcylinder 12 andthe end of cylinder 11 crimped to form bead 14 sealingthe contents within the container. Although bottom disk 16 is preferablyformed of paper, it may be paper impregnated or coated with plastic torender it resistant `to moisture. Conceivably -disk 16 could be formedof plastic or metal or other means than the crimped edge 14 used to sealsuch a disk in place.

Referring again to Figure 4, it will be noted that ridge 23 not onlyhelps to center properly the disk 19 and, in bearing .against .thebeaded edge 13, prevent its uncurling, but it also serves to barentrance to the V-shaped area designated X between the peripheral edgeof disk 19 and bead 13. It should be apparent that in the absence ofsuch a ridge 23, during an act of pouring contents from the container, afew of the particles could easily become lodged in this area X betweenthe bead 13 and disk 19. Assuming these particles to be salt granules ori other particles of hygroscopic character, their collection in thisarea X could cause the crimped edge to become moist and tend to uncurl.The ridge 23 thus also serves as a barrier to prevent such lodgment ofthese particles from the area X, Obviously, if the height of the ridge23,were to extend above the horizontal radius center line A-A seenVinvFigure 4, a new V-shaped pocket would be provided for receiving thesalt particles. For this reason, its height should be near but nothigher than said center line A-A. Preferably also, the tcp surface 26ofthe enclosure disk 19 should be dish-shaped or cupped, as seen inFigures 3 and 4, so that it will blend or merge into the outer surface27 of the beaded edge 13 without providing a pocket for the saltgranules. This merging of the dish-shaped surface 26 of the disk 19 withthe outer surface 27 of the bead 13 serves to channel the particles fromthe opening V20 through opening 21a or perforated area 2117, as the casemay be, off the top surface of disk 19 and over the beaded edge 13 whenthe container is tilted to normal pouring position and also it serves tochannel the'remaining particles back through the openings when thecontainer is returned to its upright o'r normal vertical position.

Although it is preferred that the outer surface of the closure disk bedish-shaped for this reason, it may also be made substantially llat asshown in the modification according to Figures and 6. In'thismodification, the inner sidesurface 226 of' the ridge 223 on closuredisk 219 is disposed nearly Vertical, although it may be very slightlyinclined, and it may be somewhat rounded where it--meets the dat surfaceof the disk 219. In other respects, ridge 223 is substantially like theridge 23 according to the modification shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.Preferably, ridge 223 is tapered and its height controlled so that itmeets the adjacent surface 27 of the bead 13 at a point adjacent to orslightly below the horizontal center line of said crimped or inwardlyturned edge portion 13 as in the embodiment according to Figure 4. Thisprovides a substantially continuous surface without interruption betweenthe surface 226 and the surface 27 of the beaded edge 13. In order tochannel the particles over the bead 13, disk 219 may be formed with aspout 228 about its opening 221a having a pouring edge 229 which isdisposed above the height of the ridge 223. Preferably, it will also beprovided with an inclined surface 230 and sides 231 to assist indirecting the ow of the particles.

Although the above description has been applied specitically to acontainer such as used for dispensing salt and like granular and/orpowdered materials, conceivably a ldisk equivalent to disk 19 or 219 asdescribed might be used to seal or plug the end of a great variety ofother type containers such as shot-gun shells, tubes of BBs or evenshipping tubes as used for various materials. in each of these instancesthe end of the cylinder or tube would be crimped as previously describedand the disk would be `urged into engagement therewith so that theinclined wall of its peripherally spaced ridge would 4tightly -bearagainst the crimped edge or bead of the cylinder to prevent itsuncurling. Although preferably the disk would be held in engagement withsaid crimped edge of the cylinder by means of a second or innercylinder, as described above, `it is conceivable that the disk mighthave a sufficiently tight fit within the tube or cylinder as to make thesecond cylinder unnecessary. Such a tight lit would be possible since inthese alternative uses the disc need not and preferably does not rotate.Moreover it willrbe obvious that in these latter uses the disk will notbe apertured. Neither will a rib such as shown at 22 be required.

Thus having described my invention, it would appear that all of theobjects of the invention have been obtained in a simple, convenient andpractical manner. It is further understood that the foregoing is not tobe taken in a limiting sense, but merely as illustrative as to how theinvention may be carried out.

I claim:

1. A device such as described comprising a cylindrical body having oneend open, an apertured disk secured in the said open end, a closure diskrotatably mounted on said apertured disk in sliding relation therewith,the edge of said lopen end of the cylindrical body being inwardlycrimped about a short radius to overlie the peripheral edge of saidclosure disk, and said closure disk having a circumferentially,extending upstanding ridgelike portion spaced from the peripheral edgethereof and having a height no greater than that of the radius aboutwhich said edge is crimped, the edge of said ridgelike portion beingpressed against the adjacent surface of said crimped edge of thecylindrical body to provide a substantial merging thereof with saidsurface.

2. A device such as described comprising a cylindrical body having oneend open, an apertured disk secured in the said open end, a closure diskrotatably mounted on said apertured disk in sliding relation therewith,the edge of said open end of the cylindrical body being inwardly turnedabout a radius to overlie the peripheral edge of said closure disk, andsaid closure disk having a circumferentially extending upstandingtapered ridge portion spaced from the peripheral edge thereof which hasa height less than that of the radius of the inwardly turned edge of thecylindrical body and is pressed against said turned edge to provide asubstantially continuous uninterrupted merging of the adjacent surfaceof the inwardly turned edge and tapered ridge portion.

3. A device such as described comprising a cylindrical body having oneend open, apertured means secured in the said open end, a closure diskrotatablymounted onY 4. A device such as described comprising acylindrical body having one end open, apertured means secured in thesaid open end, a closure disk rotatably mounted on said apertured meansin sliding relation therewith, the edge of said open end of thecylindrical body being inwardly crimped to overlie the peripheral edgeof said closure disk, and said closure disk having a circumferentiallyextending upstanding wall portion spaced from the peripheral edgethereof which engages the adjacent surface of said crimped edge of thecylindrical body and further has an exposed surface which substantiallymerges with the adjacent surface of the crimped edge of the cylindricalbody.

5. In a container, the combination of a sleeve having an edge inwardlycrimped about a short radius, a first apertured disk secured in placewithin the sleeve and just below the crimped edge, and a secondapertured disk having its peripheral edge between the crimped edge andfirst disk and being slidably rotatable on the said first disk to bringthe apertured portions of the two disks into and out of alignment, saidsecond disk having an upstanding circumferentially extending ridgespaced inwardly from its peripheral edge and bearing against the crimpededge of the sleeve in sealing relation therewith.

6. In a container, the combination of a sleeve having an edge inwardlycrimped about a short radius, a first apertured disk secured in placewithin the sleeve and just below the crimped edge, and a secondapertured disk having its peripheral edge between the crimped edge andthe first disk and being slidably rotatable on the said first disk tobring the apertured portions of the two disks into and out of alignment,said second disk having an upstanding circumferentially extending ridgespaced inwardly from its peripheral edge, and said ridge having atapered end bearing against the crimped edge of the sleeve in sealingrelation therewith, the exposed surface of the said ridge substantiallymerging with the outer surface of the said crimped edge of the sleeve.

7. In a container, the combination of a sleeve having an edge inwardlycrimped about a short radius, apertured means secured in place withinthe sleeve and just below the crimped edge, and an apertured disk havingits peripheral edge between `the crimped edge and the apen tured meansand being slidably rotatable thereon to bring the apertured portionsthereof into and out of alignment,

said disk having an upstanding circumferentially extending ridge spacedinwardly from its peripheral edge, the outer surface of said ridge beingangled inwardly and having its end located to bear againstthe crimpededge of the sleeve in sealing relation therewith at a locationsubstantially no higher than the horizontal radius of said crimped edge,and the outer exposed surface of the ridge being shaped substantially tomerge with the outer surface ofthe said crimped edge of the sleeve.

8. In a container, the combination of a sleeve having an edge inwardlycrimped about a short radius, apertured means secured in place withinthe sleeve and just below the crimped edge, an apertured disk having itsperipheral edge between the crimped edge and the apertured means andbeing slidably rotatable on said means to bring the apertured portionsthereof into and out of alignment, said disk having an upstandingcircumferentially extending ridge spaced inwardly from its peripheraledge, the outer surface of said ridge being angled in wardly andengaging against the crimped edge of the sleeve, and the exposed surfaceof the disk being some-` 6. what dish-shaped and substantially mergingwith the outer surface of the said crimped edge of the sleeve.

9. In a container, the combination of a sleeve having an edge inwardlyturned about a short radius, a first apertured disc secured in placewithin the sleeve and just below the inturned edge, and a secondapertured disk having its peripheral edge between the inturned edge andthe first disk and being slidably rotatable on the said rst disk tobring the apertured portions of the two disks into and out of alignment,said second disk having an opstanding circumferentially extending ridgespaced in-` wardly from its peripheral edge, the outer surface of saidridge being angled inwardly and having a tapered end engaging theinturned edge of the sleeve, :and the height f of said ridge beingsubstantially no higher than the horizontal radius of said inturned edgeof the sleeve.

l0. A container'comprising inner and outer cylindrical bodies in securedtelescopic relation, the outer cylindrical body having an edge portionextending beyond the edge of the inner cylindrical body of one end ofthe container, and means closing off the other end of the container, adisk immovably seated on said mentioned edge of the inner cylindricalbody, said disc having an opening therein offset from its center, aclosure disk rotatably mounted on said disk in close slidable relationtherewith, said closure disk also having an opening therein offset fromits center, and the mentioned edge of the outer cylindrical body beingcrimped inwardly to overlie and hold said closure disk in its closesliding relation with the first disk, together with means on saidclosure disk to effect rotation thereof whereby the opening in the firstdisk may be opened and closed, said closure disk further having aninwardly angled continuous circumferentially extending wall portionwhich is so spaced from its peripheral edge as to bear against theadjacent surface of the men tioned crimped edge portion of the outercylindrical body in substantially sealing relation therewith, and thetop surface of said closure disk defined by said continuous wall beingsubstantially dish-shaped and merging withthe surface of said crimpededge portion of the outer'l cylindrical body at the top of the inwardlyangled wall to effect free flowing of the contents from said container.

ll. A container comprising inner and outer cylindrical bodies in securedtelescopic relation, the outer cylindrical body having an edge portionextending beyond the edge of the inner cylindrical body of one end ofthe container, and means closing ofrr the other end of the container, adisk immovably seated on said mentioned edge of the inner cylindricalbody, said disk having an opening therein offset from its center, aclosure disk rotatably mounted on said disk in close slidable relationtherewith, said closure disk also having an opening therein offset fromits center, the mentioned edge of the outer cylindrical body beingcrimped inwardly to overlie and hold said closure disk in its closesliding relation with the first disk, and said closure disk furtherhaving a continuous circumferentially extending tapered rdgelike portionwhich is so spaced from its peripheral edge as to bear against theadjacent outer surface of the mentioned crimped edge portion of theouter cylindricalbody to hold the same in place, and the top surface ofsaid closure -disk being substantially dish-shaped and merging with thesurface of said crimped edge portion of the outer cylindrical body toeffect free flowing of the contents from said container.

l2. A container comprising inner and outer cylindrical bodies in securedtelescopic relation, the outer cylindrical body having an edge portionextending beyond the edge of the inner cylindrical body of one end ofthe container, and means closing oti' the other end of the container, adisk immovably seated on said mentioned edge of the inner cylindricalbody, said disk having an opening therein offset from its center, aclosure disk rotatably mounted on said disc, and the mentioned edge ofthe outer cylindrical body being crimped inwardly to overlie and hold`said closure disk in a close sliding relation with the first disk, saidclosure disk further having an angled continuous circumferentiallyextending wall portion which bears against the adjacent outer surface ofthe mentioned crimped edge portion of the outer cylindrical body, andthe top surface of said closure disk deiined by said continuous wallbeing substantially dishshaped and substantially merging with thesurface of said crimped edge portion of the outer cylindrical body toeffect free liowing of the contents from said container.

13. A container comprising inner and outer cylindrical bodies in securedtelescopic relation, the outer cylindrical body having an edge portionextending beyond the edge of the inner cylindrical body of one end ofthe container, and means closing off the other end of the container, adisk immovably seated on said mentioned edge of the inner cylindricalbody, said disk having an opening therein offset fromits center, aclosure disk rotatably mounted on said disk, the mentioned edge of theouter cylindrical body being spun over the edge of said closure disk tohold it Vin close sliding relation with the irst disk, said closure diskfurther having an angled continuous circumferentially extending wallportion which bears against the adjacent outer surface of the mentionedspun edge portion of the outer cylindrical body, and the top surface ofsaid closure disk defined by said continuous wall being substantiallydish-shaped and merging with the surface of said spun edge portion ofthe outer cylindrical body near the horizontal radius of said inwardlyspun end portion to effect free flowing of the contents from saidcontainer..

14. A device such as described comprising a cylindrical body having oneend open, apertured means secured in the said open end, a closure diskrotatably mounted on said apertured means in sliding relation therewith,the edge of said open end of the cylindrical body being inwardly crimpedto overlie the peripheral edge of said closure disk, and said closuredisk having a circumferentially extending angled wall portion engagingthe adjacent surface of said crimped edge of the cylindrical body, thetop surface of said closure disk defined by said angled wall portionbeing substantially dish-shaped and merging with the adjacent outersurface of said inwardly crimped edge of the cylindrical body.

l5. In a container the combination of a sleeve having an inwardly beadededge, a first apertured disk secured in place within the sleeve and justbelow the beaded edge thereof, and a closure disk rotatably mounted onthe first disk in close sliding relation therewith, said closure diskhaving its peripheral edge disposed between the beaded edge of thesleeve and said first disk, and further having an upstandingcircumferentially extending ridge spaced from its peripheral edge, saidridge having its top edge bearing against the surface of said beadededge of the disk.

16. In a container the combination of a sleeve having an inwardly beadededge, a first apertured disk secured in place within the sleeve and justbelow the beaded edge thereof,eand a closure disk rotatably mounted onthe first disk in close sliding relation therewith, said closure diskhaving its peripheral edge disposed between the beaded edge of thesleeve and said first disk, and further having an upstandingcireumferentially extending ridge spaced from its peripheral edge, saidridge having its top edge bearing against the surface of said beadededge of the disk, and the inwardly disposed side surface of said ridgesubstantially merging with the adjacent surface of said beaded edge.

17. In a container the combination of a sleeve having an inwardly beadededge, a first apertured disk secured in place within the sleeve and justbelow the beaded eige thereof, and a closure disk rotatably mounted onthe rst disk in close sliding relation therewith, said closure diskhaving its peripheral edge disposed between the beaded edge of thesleeve and said iirst disk, and further having an upstandingcircumferentially extending ridge spaced from its peripheral edge, saidridge having its top edge bearing against the surface of said beadededge of the disk, and the inwardly disposed side surface of said ridgesubstantially merging with the adjacent surface of said beaded edge at alocation no higher than the horizontal center line of said beaded edge.

18. A device such as described comprising a cylindrical body having aclosure disk mounted in one end thereof, the edge of said cylindricalbody being inwardly turned to overlie the peripheral edge of saidclosure disk, and said closure disk having a circumferentially extendingup standing inclined wall portion which is spaced from the peripheraledge thereof and engages the adjacent surface of said crimped edge ofthe cylindrical body.

19. A device according to claim 18 in which the upstanding inclined wallportion of the closure disk has a height less than that of the radiusabout which the edge of the cylindrical body is inwardly turned and isso pressed against the surface presented by said turned edge as toprovide a substantially continuous uninterrupted merging of said surfaceof the inwardly turned edge and adjacent surface of the closure disk.

20. A device such as described in claim 18 having a cylinder like memberfixed within the cylindrical body with its edge bearing against theunderside of the periphery of the closure disk to hold said disk againstthe inwardly turned edge of the cylindrical body.

References Cited in the 'file of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS2,136,795 Hoffman Nov. 15, 1938 2,682,357 Bogossian June 29, 1954FOREIGN PATENTS 459,019 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1936 615,329 GreatBritain a- Jan. 5, 1949

